Heading back to school

Some of you may know that Baby Daddy Terry is going back to school. He is headed to South Seattle Community College to get an FAA certificate in Aviation Maintenance to fix jet engines. We are so proud of him and very excited about what is in store for him! We got him a backpack today, for the 50 pounds of books, for this quarters classes. Max doesn't really have any idea about what is in store for daddy but he was thrilled with the backpack we gave to him today!

Is he not the cutest thing ever?!?

Congratulations daddy! We are so proud of you and we know you will do great!

Potty Time

I can hardly contain my excitement as I tell you why this picture is heading this blog post!

Maxwell went potty in his chair, for the first time, by himself, last Saturday. He actually got out of the tub and said, "peepee." He went over to the potty, sat down, used both his hands to push down his peewee and grunted out about 1 teaspoon of pee!

Terry and I whooped and clapped and hi-fived, while Max watched and laughed the whole time. I never thought I would be so happy about my son going potty.

You might be asking why I am telling you all this now, on Thursday. Well, I was hoping for a repeat performance so I could really WOW everybody. No luck! We ask him at every diaper change and before bathtime if he wants to go potty. The answer, always a resounding, NO! That seems to be the soundtrack of my life these days.

No matter, he did it once, he will do it again and I couldn't be prouder of my big boy!

Max and Daddy's Excellent Adventure!

This past Saturday, Max and daddy had an excellent adventure! 

Up in Marysville, Washington, they host a "Touch a Truck" day for those people who have kids obsessed with big trucks, diggers, school buses, trash trucks etc. You get the idea!

Sadly, I had to work but Terry took some great pictures and told me all sorts of stories about the days festivities. I hope you enjoy them as much as Max enjoyed the trucks.

Max on a mission!

My little Super Ham driving a big rig.

Heading for the Ambulance.

The firefighter there, said Max was a natural! Obviously!

No Fear!

 Checking out the BIG tractor.

Big wheel, little dude!

Driving the trash truck.

He is always so focused on the task at hand.

Riding in the Choo Choo, pulled by one of the tractors.

Terry said Max was a really good boy and was super patient about waiting for his turn to climb into the school bus and fire truck. There were lots of people there and it was sometimes hard for Terry to get pictures and try to make sure Max was holding his own.  

I am sad that I missed the fun but so glad the Max and daddy had such a good time.

Out for a ride

The last couple of weeks have been really hot around here, finally and we have been thoroughly enjoying the weather to the best of our abilities. Until, one day last week when Uncle Scott called, after a very long road trip for which he is now famous, and invited us out for a ride! More on the famous part later.

Uncle Scott, you may remember has a really nice boat and sometimes we are lucky enough to get to go out on Lake Washington with him. Max was a little nervous at first. I don't think he remembered the last time he was on the boat.

 He was pretty nervous at first.

Once we started to move he relaxed into daddy a little and started to enjoy the ride.

We went out into the Lake a little, away from the bridge and boat launch area to enjoy the sun and the waves. That is when Max really started to enjoy himself. Uncle Scott even let him steer the boat.

 Don't worry Grandma, the key might be in the ignition but the motor is off and we are happy as a clam just riding the waves.

Max took his job very, very seriously! He did not let go of the steering wheel even once while sitting in the Captains chair. He was so focused, I am sure he thought he was steering the boat for real.

When we had to get back underway, he gave up his seat willingly, not kidding, and let Uncle Scott back at the wheel. This time Uncle Scott let him steer for real. Though doesn't it look like Max thinks that Scott is doing it wrong?

Thanks Uncle Scott, we had a great time!

Hope we can do it again before the weather turns.

Just in case you were wondering, our friend Uncle Scott is actually Lt. Scott Mahlen of the King County Fire Department. He and a fellow firefighter just got back from a 6,000 mile journey to New York and back to pick up a piece of the World Trade Tower for a memorial here in Washington. If your are interested in more information about the trip or to see some excellent photos and news articles, just google Lt. Scott Mahlen and take a look. Below is a link to the article in the Northwest Cable News.

http://www.nwcn.com/news/washington?fId=128715483&fPath=/home&fDomain=10212

Thanks for everything you do to keep us safe Uncle Scott! We sure do love you!

All Boy and Then Some...

Do you remember a couple of months back when I posted about how much Maxwell had become all boy, despite my wanting him to embrace his feminine side? You know the Nature vs. Nurture post? Well, about two weeks after that posting, the most curious thing happened. We were leaving to go for a walk to the park and Max decided he wanted to bring along a friend.

His baby doll came along for the ride and boy did he get a ride!

Max climbed with him, with my help of course!

And went down the slide with him, well kind of...

well, the baby went down the slide anyway!

He would push the baby down the slide and wait at the top for me to give the baby back to him to push down again. Now, since this poor, unassuming baby doll used to be mine it was a little hard for me to watch my son, treating him so roughly. So after a few solo slides the baby got tired and went to sleep in the stroller while Max and I continued to play.

Was that wrong? I mean really, where does my allegience lie? With my baby or with my baby boy?

Aaahhhhhhhhh, life's little dilemmas!

Camping Fun?

This year we decided to finally join Aunty Judy and Uncle Dave on the annual camping trip to Ocean City State Park, outside of Ocean Shores, Washington. It would be Max's second official camping trip and his first trip where he would actively participate. We were pretty excited and took loads of stuff to keep him occupied. He had all sorts of warm things, for inclement weather and toys and the bike trailer and what could possibly go wrong?

DAY 1

The day we left it was hotter then Hades on the drive down, until we got there. It was kind of overcast and cool down by the water. But that didn't stop Max from taking it all in.

Max's first contact with the Pacific Ocean.

The laughter and giggling that ensued were incredible! He had an amazing time following daddy in and racing back away from the waves.

Daddy, Max and Uncle Mike.

A second reason for going to the beach was to say goodbye to Terry and Mikes mom, who passed away over 10 years ago. She had wanted her ashes spread on the beach and Uncle Mike, Aunt Maryann and cousin Claire came down for the day to say good bye too.

It was a nice farewell. Claire got to drop the ashes and I think Great Grandma Nancy would have liked that.

Claire's little feet prints.

DAY 2

What a difference a day makes! Especially in Washington!

My little lumberjack, with Molly Hatchet, cutting wood for the fire the next morning. Note the rain gear! That's right! It rained all day! Max was the only one with warm, dry clothes. The only thing mommy forgot was warm, dry shoes. We remedied that a short time later in town. I will now forever over pack, no matter what the weather forecast is!

Did I mention how stinking happy he was? He laughed and played and ate really well the whole time. He even napped well during the day and at night sleeping in the tent. Truly his fathers son, when it comes to camping and making the most of it all.

He even flew a kite with a little help from his friend Haley. It was windy and raining sideways at this point and I was soaking wet and cold. Max, bone dry, warm and happy as a clam.

I don't know how she managed it but she got that kite up! Good girl!

After getting Max some boots we went out to the jetty, where it rained some more...sideways...with heavy wind! Mommy was ready to go home. We had just gotten my clothes dry at the laundry mat after kite flying when we decided to try the beach again, because there was a break in the rain. NOT! So back we went to the laundry to dry off and warm up. Max still toasty warm and dry.

DAY 3

Yes, we stayed the night again. After moving the tent to avoid the lake that was accumulating underneath us, we stayed for another night of fun. Our friends, Lee, Lisa, their daughter Haley and son Cole, were smart enough to go home and be dry. Not us! But the waiting paid off.

 Sun, sand and dump trucks! Does it get any better?

He thoroughly enjoyed the day and so did mommy!

Maxwell's 2nd Birthday

Can you believe it! Maxwell is 2!

We had a whirlwind weekend celebration of birthday festivities. (See previous post.)

Everyday that I wake up and look at him, I still think, "Oh My God It's Early!" But I have learned to appreciate that he does sleep in quite often and there are other children that do not. Praise be to those parents!

I am continually amazed at how much he grows and learns every day. For example, he now says agua for water, instead of water. Is that good or bad? I don't care! I am just thrilled he is speaking and doing more of it every day. He repeats what you say, especially new words. You can literally watch him learn. Soaking up information like a sponge. It is awesome. I can see him making choices, some good, some not so good. It doesn't matter, he is learning.

I have said it before, that I don't believe in the terrible 2's. I will say it again. I don't believe in them. I am watching him test limits, push boundaries and discover the person he wants to be. It's not terrible. Difficult at times, yes. But not terrible. I love my son and with a little guidance and a lot of patience he will grow up to be something bigger and better then me. I am not saying that there have not been difficult days. Bridge can atest to those. I cry on her shoulder a lot and we commisserate together. Terry also constantly reminds me to not worry so much and just have fun. But I am having fun! It is the most fun you can have standing up!!!

Where to begin...Maybe I should let Max tell you?!

When I woke up on Sunday morning Mommy and Daddy made me breakfast and sang me Happy Birthday. I am not really sure what that was all about but it was fun and they were having fun so who am I to stop them. Then they brought out a bunch of stuff all wrapped up in paper. Daddy had to show me how to get started, but once I figured it out, it was on!!

Mommy started off with the boring stuff first.

 

I showed a little interest. Just so she wouldn't be disapointed.

I do kind of like puzzles. But what's with all the letters??

Now we're talking!! Dinosaur Train, with a battery powered train.

"Toot Toot!"

Leave it to Daddy to get the good stuff and save the best for last!

My first remote control car!! My dad rocks!

And it's a school bus! "Beep Beep!" Does he know me or what?

Then we got in the car and drove to Elbe. Mommy and Daddy have been telling me for weeks that we were going to Elbe, but they wouldn't say for what. I have been saying Elbe for days and now I know why! We are riding a real STEAM TRAIN!!!

I got another big surprise when we got there. My cousin Claire and best friend Jake were coming on the train with us! Does it get any better?

Mommy and Bridge tried to wrangle us for a group photo. Not so much!

"Yeah, we're gonna ride a train. Cool, huh?!"

They let us climb and play on this old train to get out some energy before boarding.

"We are off!!"

 This is my best friend Jake and his mommy Bridgette getting settled in before the train started to go.

 This is me and my mommy. Isn't she the greatest? By the way, check out my cool Thomas the Tank Engine tattoo. Mommy got some for Jake and Claire too.

This is me and daddy next to my cousin Claire. That is my Uncle Mikes head in the corner.

The ride was kind of long but we saw some really cool stuff along the way. There were tractors and trucks, bridges and rivers. Jake is really good at spotting large machinery and I always look when he yells "tractor" and I am never disappointed.

 This is the river under one of the trestle bridges. Not sure what it is called though.

The conductor says that Mt. Rainier is out there somewhere, obscured by the clouds. What ever that means!

This isn't the clearest picture, but that is a beaver dam! We didn't see the beavers!

 The train stopped out at Mineral Lake. They let us get off and Jake led a hike down the trail to check out the lake and the scenery.

Daddy took this great picture of Jake and his momma.

We got back on the train and headed back to Elbe. It was a much shorter ride, but still lots of fun. Jake, Claire,  mommy, Bridgette and I walked all around and even sat at the very back of the train and watched the tracks go by. Mommy and Bridgette said it made them a little sick. Not sure why though.

When we got back to the train depot we went and ate dinner in a real train car. It was super fun. Even Jake and Bridgette had dinner with us. Mommy made cupcake for dessert and they sang me that silly Happy Birthday song again. Not to break with tradition I didn't eat my cupcakes this year either!

*Full disclosure: The following photos are from today and not from the restaurant. The blogging Mommy forgot to take pictures of her son blowing out his birthday candles the first time around.*

Yup, I'm 2 and I love Thomas the Tank Engine!

I actually blew out my candles this time.

It doesn't count as eating my cupcake this time cause it isn't really my birthday today! Mommy said the sugar rush was instantaneous!

I had an awesome time on the train and I am so glad that my cousin Claire, aunt Maryann and uncle Mike, Jake and Bridgette could be a part of my special day. I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for me. Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special.

Love to everybody,

Maxer